10 Far-out Charismatic Leaders (and the Trouble They Caused)

American labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers Cesar Chavez speaks at a rally in Coachella, California in the '70s. Cathy Murphy/Getty Images

Let's face it -- it's fun to follow a leader. A leader who can get you all excited about a vision and the means to achieve it. It's a common human instinct. But while leaders can be effective without being charismatic, possessing charisma -- that winning combo of charm, passion and persuasiveness -- can be a huge asset. It's awfully hard to resist a charismatic person [source: Alain]. Take Cesar Chavez. The labor and civil rights activist was a thoughtful speaker, but it was his passion when speaking, plus an ability to relate to ordinary people -- his charisma -- that made so many flock to his cause [source: The Daily Beast].